Dept. of Labor closes convention center investigation

The Tennessee Department of Labor closed its investigation earlier this month into allegations raised by state Rep. Mike Turner that the downtown convention center project was using illegal immigrant workers.

Turner’s complaint cited anonymous sources who alleged that Clark Construction Group was using illegal immigrants. According to the Department of Labor’s final report, those anonymous sources never came forward and the allegations could not be investigated. Convention center officials adamantly denied that illegal workers were being used.

Turner, who is a prominent Union supporter, said in July that he was concerned the contractor was using illegal immigrants instead of local workers.

“To date, the confidential sources have not been made available to the inspector to allow the investigation to progress…” the final report states.